Esta asignatura optativa ofrece una introducción a la ecocrítica, un enfoque crítico interdisciplinar de la literatura y la cultura en lengua inglesa que se centra en el estudio de la relación entre la literatura y el medioambiente entendido éste como un mundo físico de ecosistemas interrelacionados entre los seres humanos, los no humanos y el mundo natural. Su objetivo es analizar los valores, las representaciones y los comportamientos con respecto a la naturaleza y el medio ambiente en expresiones literarias y culturales. La literatura y la cultura se entienden como ecológicas al reconocerse que la cultura humana no puede separarse de procesos ecológicos y ciclos energéticos naturales que han influido en su desarrollo.

Desde una aproximación ecocrítica, se examinarán las formas en que la literatura y la cultura representan e interactúan con el mundo natural, con la conciencia ecológica y la transformación social y se explorará las formas en que estas cuestiones y preocupaciones se reflejan en los textos literarios. En el marco de un actual ecocidio, cambio climático y crisis ecológica, este curso explorará una variedad de aproximaciones críticas y respuestas literarias al período comúnmente conocido como Antropoceno/Capitaloceno (en su evolución al actual giro Simbiótico) considerando cómo la literatura puede convertirse en una herramienta para promover la sostenibilidad ambiental, los diálogos multiespecies y la justicia social.

This elective subject offers an introduction to ecocriticism, an interdisciplinary critical approach to literature and culture in the English language that focuses on the study of the relationship between literature and the environment, understood as a physical world of interrelated ecosystems between human beings, non-humans, and the natural world. Its objective is to analyze the values, representations, and behaviors with respect to nature and the environment in literary and cultural expressions. Literature and culture are understood as ecological by recognizing that human culture cannot be separated from ecological processes and natural energy cycles that have influenced its development.

From an ecocritical approach, it will be explored the ways in which literature and culture represent and interact with the natural world, with ecological awareness and social transformation and in which these issues and concerns are reflected in literary texts. Within the framework of a current ecocide, climate change and ecological crisis, this course will examine a variety of critical approaches and literary responses to the period commonly known as the Anthropocene/Capitalocene (in its evolution to the current Symbiotic turn) considering how literature can become a tool to promote environmental sustainability, multispecies dialogues, and social justice.

Ecocrítica y Ecología en Literatura en lengua inglesa ofrece al alumnado una introducción a la Ecocrítica, sus principales aproximaciones críticas y sus textos fundamentales situando la literatura y las representaciones culturales dentro del contexto de una visión ecológica. El curso tendrá como objetivo primordial reflexionar sobre el posicionamiento del ser humano en relación con lo no humano, el entorno natural y sus ecosistemas interconectados mediante el análisis y puesta en práctica de estructuras y herramientas narrativas.

Se pretende que el alumnado sea capaz de construir un análisis crítico razonado desde la ecocrítica y la ecología en la literatura en lengua inglesa. 

Los objetivos específicos de la asignatura son los siguientes:

-Understand the different stages of ecocriticism, its theoretical context within an Anglo-European framework, its main objectives, key concepts, most relevant critical voices, and the latest interdisciplinary approaches in the field.

-Understand the main tenets of Ecofeminism, New materialisms, Environmental (in)justice and Postcolonial Ecocriticism and its application to literary analysis.

-Understand the main principles of Critical posthumanism and Multispecies dialogues (Zoopoetics, Animal Studies, Plant Studies, and Blue Humanities) and its application to literary representations in the context of a current ecological crisis.

-Analyze the artistic elements in Ecocriticism and Ecology in Literature in the English language, through the analysis of the most representative texts and works, starting from the 19th and 20th centuries but with special emphasis on the ecofictions and ecopoetics of the 21st century.

-Understand how eco fictions, cli fi- sci-fi narratives, speculative fiction and ecopoetics mediate and engage with the current climate emergency, ecological degradation and social inequalities.

-Learn to think in interdisciplinary ways to construct a reasoned critical discourse analysis from ecocriticism and ecology in literature.

-Appreciate literary avenues which expand awareness for the protection of our planet and its living beings, and for a more just and sustainable future.

-Understand the important function of literature to redirect human consciousness to a full consideration of its role in a threatened natural world.

-Appreciate how literature can be a catalyst for environmental awareness and to inspire readers to take action to protect the natural world.

-Develop confidence in research skills in critical analysis and writing.

1. Introduction to Ecocriticism (Ecological Literary Criticism): theoretical context (its history within an Anglo-European framework, main objectives, and waves), key concepts, most relevant critical voices, and latest trends.

2. Narratives of regeneration and inclusive futures: Ecofeminism and its application to literary analysis. 

3. Critical Posthumanism and its application to literary and cultural representations in the face of the current ecological crisis. 

4. From the Anthropocene, the Capitalocene, the Wastecene and the Chthulhucene to the Symbiotic Trans-corporeality: New ecological materialisms in the Anglophone Literature.

5. Environmental Humanities and Postcolonial Ecocriticism: at the intersections of ethnicity/ 'race' and colonial legacies.

    Environmental (in)justice: Indigenous knowledges, decolonial theories and sacred Earth readings.

6. Eco fictions to save the world and to build a habitable, just and all-inclusive planet: cli-fi & sci-fi narratives and speculative fiction.

7. Ecopoetics and interpretive readings in ecocriticism: environmental awareness through poetry.

8. Multispecies dialogues: Zoopoetics, Animal Studies, Plant Studies, and Blue Humanities.